Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | | |
Tickets Available Now - Reserve Your Seat
Thursday, January 15, 2026
| | The Greater Kitsap Chamber invites you to join community and industry leaders for Ready Kitsap: 2026 Business & Tourism Summit, a one-day readiness and strategy event designed to help local businesses and nonprofits prepare for the influx of visitors to our region in Summer 2026. As the world’s largest sporting event brings global attention to our region, this summit will ensure Kitsap County is ready to meet the moment. | |
2025 Business Awards Gala
Friday, December 12, 2025, 5:30pm
| | Dress for the evening is cocktail attire/semi-formal, sparkles or not! We're excited to spend the evening with you celebrating the amazing businesses and nonprofits who call Greater Kitsap home. We'll see you on the 12th at the Kitsap Conference Center. Doors open at 5:30 pm! | |
Chamber: Off the Clock
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 5:05pm
| | Greater Kitsap Chamber & Leadership Kitsap: 2026 Kitsap Women's Summit | | |
The Kitsap Women's Summit planning committee is proud to present Kitsap Women's Summit 2026: Breakthrough. Join us for our 3rd annual summit where we're diving into topics meant to create and sustain momentum - breaking through limits, beliefs, transitions and noise. This day-long gathering is curated for women, by women, and was brought to life by the need for real space for conversation, community, connection, and personal and professional development, amplifying women's voices and experiences across Kitsap County.
Business Health Trust is proud to serve as our 2026 Visionary Sponsor. For more information on how you can join them in sponsoring this event, please visit our website at www.greaterkitsapchamber.com/kitsap-womens-summit.
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Highlight Your Business with Tabling Opportunity at Chamber Luncheon | | |
Accessible Healthcare with NICE
Business Health Trust Has You Covered
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Are you ready for 2026 healthcare costs?
Health insurance costs are going up up up, but BHT members are already offering their teams $0 primary care going into flu season and the new year. They don’t pay a dime to have this extra benefit. It’s included in their normal package.
With BHT + Nice, employees get $0 primary, preventive, and sick care, same-day virtual access to mental health and physical therapy, and 550+ common medications at $0 when prescribed by Nice. This isn’t a gimmick. Appointments usually happen within a day.
🔗 Webpage Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/products/nice-healthcare/
Questions? Contact BHT!
(425) 201-1972
nice@businesshealthtrust.com
Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package? Visit bhtquote.com to learn more and get a free quote.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? Contact us now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
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VMFH St. Michael Medical
Celebrates Opening of North Tower
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Community and health care leaders from across Kitsap gathered at St. Michael Medical Center on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the campus' new North Tower, which is set to welcome its first patient today. This exciting milestone for Kitsap County comes less than two years from groundbreaking and marks a $540 million investment in the healthcare of our region.
Pictured: [right] Kitsap County Commissioner for District 3, Katie Walters, alongside St. Michael Medical Center President and Interim President of CommonSpirit Health's Northwest Region, in front of the newly finished North Tower on the Silverdale campus.
[below] Elected officials from across Kitsap and Mason Counties celebrate the opening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
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Changing Faces, Changing Places
Share your business news today
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Has your team recently welcomed a new hire, celebrated a promotion, or marked a retirement? Kitsap Business magazine's Changing Faces, Changing Places section highlights the people powering our local business community. Chamber members are invited to share their staff updates for inclusion in an upcoming issue.
Send your announcements to news@kitsapbusiness.com and let us help you recognize the faces behind your success.
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December is a special month for the Greater Kitsap Chamber as we prepare for our annual Business Awards Gala! This event is all about honoring the incredible businesses and nonprofits that make our community strong, and before the big night, we want to take a moment to celebrate our nominees who earned recognition this year.
They represent the very best of Kitsap - organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to serving our region. From long-standing businesses that have shaped our local economy to new ventures bringing fresh ideas and energy, each nominee plays a vital role in creating a thriving community.
Being nominated is an achievement in itself, and we are proud to recognize the hard work, dedication, and impact these businesses, nonprofits, and festivals have made. Their contributions remind us why Kitsap is such a great place to live and work.
As we count down to the gala, join us in applauding these outstanding nominees. They are the heart of our business community, and we can’t wait to celebrate their success together!
| | Updates from Our Committee Chair | | |
Next Committee Meeting
- December 17, 2025, 9:30 - 11:00a.m.
- Greater Kitsap Chamber, Bremerton Office
- Reps. Greg Nance and Dan Griffey will present: Advocacy 101
- GKC President and CEO Irene Moyer will discuss the Legislative Hill Climb
| | Registration for Hill Climb will open for Greater Kitsap Chamber members on December 15th - stay tuned for more information on the day's schedule and transportation. | | Business & Professional Development Committee | | Member Education & Training Resources | | |
SCORE: Social Media 101
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 11:00am
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Discover the power of social media to unlock new customer bases, expand your online presence, and drive unprecedented growth. Learn how to boost your follower count, enhance engagement through likes, shares, comments, and retweets.
This workshop will cover:
- Essential Guidelines: What to Do and What to Avoid
- Effective Strategies: Tips and Techniques
- Optimal Approaches: Best Practices for Social Media
- Balanced Insight: Advantages and Challenges in Business Social Media Usage
- Synergy with SEO: Understanding Social Media's Influence on Search Engine Rankings
Registration Fee: $10
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SBDC: Creating & Securing an Effective Website
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 1:00pm
| In this webinar, we’ll explore how to create a strong, professional online presence while keeping your business and customer information secure. You’ll learn the fundamentals of effective website planning, from choosing the right platform and designing user-friendly pages to optimizing your site for visibility. Then, we’ll dive into essential cybersecurity practices to protect your website from common threats like phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. By the end of this session, you’ll understand how to build, manage, and safeguard a trustworthy website that supports your business growth. | |
SCORE: Accessing Capital for Small Business
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 9:00am
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Join Brande Stitt, Program Director for the Women’s Business Center, as she walks us through where entrepreneurs get their money. Learn what types of businesses are launched, and how they were funded.
You will learn to ask yourself these important questions:
- How much money do I need?
- What type of business do I have?
- What type of capital is most appropriate?
You will learn how to prepare to raise debt (borrow money) or equity capital (give up a share of your business.)
Registration Fee: $10
| | Business News & Resources | | Workers' Comp Rates to Rise in WA | |
Published in the Washington Retail Association, December 4, 2025
Photo courtesy of WRA
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced that the average cost of workers compensation insurance will increase in 2026. Beginning January 1, employers and workers will see an average rise of about $1.37 per week for each full-time position. Employers cover most of the premium while workers contribute the remaining portion.
According to the department, the adjustment reflects the growing cost of providing wage replacement and medical care benefits for injured workers. The agency noted that it aims to keep rates steady and predictable and will again use its contingency reserve to help offset the full cost of projected claims.
The change represents an overall average increase across all industries. Individual rates will vary depending on industry type and recent claims history. Washington’s system is structured differently from many other states because premiums are based on hours worked rather than payroll percentages. When wages rise, contributions do not automatically increase, so rate adjustments are sometimes needed to maintain coverage levels.
The department also highlighted its ongoing programs to help employers reduce injuries and manage claims, which support long-term cost control. Additional information is available on the agency’s workers’ compensation webpage.
Read the article here
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Quick and interesting reads for employers, employees,
local leaders, and everyone in between!
| | The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I. | | |
Workplace Rights Refresher
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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There's a lot to know as an employer - get clarity on, and learn about, some of the commonly misunderstood or lesser-known employee rights.
Immigration Status Coercion
Employers may not use immigration status to coerce an employee from engaging in protected activities or exercising labor law rights. Workers may file a complaint with L&I that is enforceable with civil penalties.
Job Posting Restriction
Employers cannot require a valid driver’s license as a condition of employment or include such a statement in a job posting unless driving is one of the essential job functions or is related to a legitimate business purpose for a position.
PSL for Employees
It’s fall which means it’s PSL time, and I'm not talking about Pumpkin Spice Lattes here; I'm talking about Paid Sick Leave. Don’t forget your paid sick leave basics:
- Employees accrue one paid sick leave hour for every 40 hours worked, paid at their normal hourly compensation
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You must provide a one-time written or electronic notification to each employee detailing their paid sick leave rights.
- Review what paid sick leave can be used for, which includes a few new additions:
- self or family’s health needs;
- child’s school or daycare closures for government-declared emergencies;
- absences related to domestic violence;
- and for absences resulting from the need to prepare for or participate in judicial or administrative immigration proceedings involving the employee or the employee's family member.
- Note: Family also includes anyone living with the employee where there is some expectation of care.
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Be sure to visit the Paid Sick Leave page to see all the requirements
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | |
4 Nonprofit Fundraising Innovations
to Deepen Donor Relationships
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Published in Nonprofit Pro, December 3, 2025
Photo: Getty Images/ Andriy Onufriyenko
Nonprofit fundraising innovation doesn’t come from one channel or tactic. Nonprofits are always looking for new ways to engage their communities, elevate their fundraising efforts and create a bigger impact. To do this, nonprofit leaders must think outside the box, which often means learning from recent industry research, peers and technology vendors that can provide a broader perspective on the fundraising landscape.
Here are some of the latest insights on artificial intelligence (AI), peer-to-peer fundraising and direct marketing that speakers shared during NonProfit POWER in Baltimore this week.
Read the article here
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KCR's Latest Housing Project
Ready to Open in Manette
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Published in The Kitsap Sun, December 9, 2025
Image: Meegan M. Reid/Kitsap Sun
BREMERTON -- It's been over two years since local and state elected officials gathered as the ribbon was cut for a groundbreaking affordable housing project by Kitsap Community Resources. That event, celebrating the 36-unit Mills Crossing townhome complex just off Wheaton Way, came from a surge of local and state funding for affordable housing back in 2022, including over $400 million new dollars in the state budget for acquisition and development.
This month KCR will do it again, this time at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at 2115 E. 19th St. in the city's Manette neighborhood, where a 9-unit townhouse for low-income families with children will officially be added to the non-profit's inventory of affordable housing units, bringing it to 45 total from two finished projects since 2023.
According to a proposed update to the county's Homeless Housing Plan (HHP), which is set to be reviewed for funding approval by the Kitsap County commissioners this month, the county needs over 33,000 more housing units through 2044 to accommodate Kitsap's growing population, including nearly 1,300 units of supportive housing in the next five years for low-income families and people without homes.
Read the article here
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Bremerton GreenDrinks @ KHM
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 5:00pm
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End-of-Year GreenDrinksThursday, December 11 • 5:00–7:30 PM
Presented by the Downtown Bremerton Association
Wrap up the year with us at a Vintage Cocktail Party hosted inside the Kitsap History Museum and throughout a warmly lit, heated Quincy Square. Expect classic cocktails, elevated hors d’oeuvres, and that cozy, nostalgic vibe that feels perfect for a year-end celebration.
It’s an evening to mix, mingle, and toast to an incredible year downtown.
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Haselwood YMCA: Run Run Rudolph 5k
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10:00am
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Kitsap Handmade Holiday Market
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 9:00am
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2025 Lighted Ships Parade on Liberty Bay
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 5:00pm
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Old Town Silverdale's Trail of Lights Festival
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6:30pm
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Masks Still Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Clearwater Casino Presents:
Hell on Heels - Tribute to Queens of Country
Friday, December 12, 2025, 8:30pm
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Hair Nation - 80s Top Hits
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 8:30pm
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BPA Presents: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
December 4 - December 21, 2025
| Based on the Victor Hugo novel and featuring the soaring music of Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast), this epic musical tells the powerful story of Quasimodo, the bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral. Isolated from society but longing for connection, he finds courage and love in the face of prejudice and fear. With unforgettable characters, stunning choral music, and breathtaking theatricality, this production resonates with the timeless themes of identity, compassion, and the price of justice. | | |
Holiday Magic @ The Roxy Theatre
December 7 - December 24, 2025
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🎅 December 7 – Our Annual Free Family Screening of ELF, sponsored by local realtor Liz Tracy. Laugh, sing along, and spread some holiday cheer — it’s on us!
🚂 December 21–24 – All aboard for THE POLAR EXPRESS and THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL, screening daily! It’s the perfect way to make new holiday memories at your favorite neighborhood theater.
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A Kitsap Rockin' Christmas @ The Roxy Theatre
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 6:30pm
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The Admiral Theatre Presents: The Nutcracker
December 13 - December 14, 2025
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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Office (360) 479-3579 | 705 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Bremerton
Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall
PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383
If you need assistance, please contact us directly.
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